What's New

June 1, 2011

Vinyltek Windows and Euroclad Building Products Combine Forces in the Okanagan!!

Vinyltek Windows (www.vinyltek.com) of Delta, BC and Euroclad Building Products of Kelowna, BC have agreed to join together to provide builders and homeowners throughout BC with a stronger and more diverse line-up of high quality windows and doors. Under this agreement, Vinyltek and Euroclad will share Euroclad’s West Kelowna showroom, and will expand Euroclad’s Okanagan sales force to better serve customers throughout the region.

“Vinyltek is the premier manufacturer of PVC windows and sliding patio doors in BC”, said Euroclad President Michael Ballantyne. “Our customers have come to appreciate our high quality doors and our metal clad and wood clad window and door products, and will be equally impressed by Vinyltek’s unsurpassed levels of performance and beauty. In addition, Vinyltek has invested over half a million dollars in its systems, processes and quality assurance programs, so that our customers can count on short leadtimes, perfect products and amazing customer service”.

“Vinyltek has spent several years looking for the perfect partner in the Okanagan Valley”, added Vinyltek President Bob Lawrence. “Not only did we find an impressive partner with tremendous growth potential, but we now have a source of outstanding door, metal clad and wood clad products to offer our wide range of builders and homeowners throughout BC and Washington State. It is truly a win-win-win for Vinyltek, Euroclad and our collective customers”.

February 2011

Project Build offers a hand up

Contributed - Castanet

The only project of its kind in Canada, Project Build was designed to help get 40 families in the Central Okanagan into the housing market by overcoming what is often the biggest hurdle, the down payment.
Since Project Build went into operation in January 2010, 23 mortgage down payment grants of $45,000 each have been awarded.

“It’s basically a free down payment provided by a group of local businesses that are helping more Okanagan working class families get in the market,” says John Antle, Manager, Residential Mortgages, TD Canada Trust.

“Non-Repayable Grants provide families who have not been able to save enough for a down payment with attainable housing in beautiful Lake Country at Sageglenn,” says Project Build brainchild Gino Dal Ponte at the Property Source Group, MacDonald Realty Kelowna.

The business community contributes the grants to these families and in turn, homes are purchased, mortgages get paid, and the local economy is invested back into by working class families living in the area.

“This is not a government-sponsored project, nor is it subsidized housing. It is a community-based program funded solely by the generosity of the participating business members. It is a hand up, not a hand out,” adds Dal Ponte.

With the encouragement of the Central Okanagan Foundation, an independent society called the Project Build Society was created to manage the program.

You don’t have to be a first-time homeowner and you don’t have to be a family to apply, however, these Project Build grants, specifically for Sageglenn free hold detached homes, are really targeted towards growing families.

The semi-custom homes are built in consultation with the homeowners by Built-Rite Homes, and are a good size for a family home. Some of the packages can be suited for renters.

Applications can be submitted through the Central Okanagan Foundation, and Project Build’s eligibility is fairly simple.

As a rough guideline, if a couple has a combined annual income of approximately $65,000 and are able to cover a monthly mortgage payment of about $1,690, they would likely qualify, so long as their credit rating and debt are not an issue.

There are some standard transactional costs such as legal fees, property transfer taxes, property insurance and HST, however a rebate on the HST can be applied for afterwards.

October 2010

Beginning October 1^st, 2010 National Resources Canada (NRCan) has new criteria coming to life for its ENERGY STAR windows and doors category. The changes are being implemented to ensure ENERGY STAR qualified products remain in the top ranking (25%) in energy efficiency amongst all the products available in the market place.

The new criteria will move the 4 Canadian Climate Zones (link to our zone map) up one level. Pre-October 1^st, 2010, Zone A qualified window and door products had a U-value of 0.35. Effective October 1^st the new Zone A U-value is 0.32.

It is important to remember that many window and door products are ENERGY STAR rated but not necessarily rated for the Zone in which the product will be used. The Okanagan Valley north of Summerland is Zone B and south of Summerland is Zone A.

Euroclad greatly supports NRCan and its initiatives. The staff will try to find ways to make it easier for customers to purchase energy efficient products that are appropriate for their climate and needs. Check out the NRCan site for great tips and ideas on many energy efficient opportunities.

Euroclad will continue to find ways to educate its customers to make the best choices of appropriate energy efficient windows and doors while also promoting Think, Shop and Buy Local. Check out our website often for updates. Let’s make decisions that help our bank accounts and help our planet!